If we were going to put our shoe in their shoe having trouble in earning merits then probably we can understand why it let them to decide to do PM to beg for merits. We cannot judge directly to users that are doing this.
For me, it will still not be an option to beg for merit, trust, BTC etc. unless there's no way you could earn it or get it. I've been a Jr. Member before then get to newbie with the new system of having merit to be Jr. Member but it didn't came to mind that I'll beg for it. Instead I work my ass how others are getting or earning those merits. Yeah, we can't judge but at least we could remind them. For those who still have merits in them at least they should try, think outside the box.
It's not that I could just say this things because I have some merits earned but I say it because there's always an option, a way on how you could earn/get it.
Maybe then it's time to modify the current requirements, which are obviously too difficult for most new and some old members. If 1000 merits is the current request for Legendary rank, maybe we should lower it to 750, and Hero from 500 to maybe 350 or 400 merits. Of course, the question arises what to do with lower ranks, because in my opinion Jr. Member is very easy to reach, just like Member (1 - 10 merits) but even 10 times more is needed for Full Member rank which is too much in my opinion.
How glad I am if this will ever be implemented but I don't think this will ever be changed so easily by theymos, I think this requirements are established anymore.